You accidentally spilled a glass of water on open books. What is the most advisable action to take first?

• A. Separate the wet pages with blotters
• B. Dry with a hair dryer
• C. Wipe the surface with a dry cloth
• D. Close the book and walk away

Answer: (A)

When water spills on open books, the immediate priority is to prevent pages from sticking and to start removing moisture between the pages. Separating the wet pages with absorbent blotters does exactly that: it interrupts the moisture being drawn from one page to the next and begins pulling liquid away, which reduces the risk of pages sticking, tearing, or ink smearing as the book dries. After inserting blotters, continue drying by replacing them as they become damp and letting the book air-dry in a well-ventilated area. Avoid using heat like a hair dryer, which can warp pages and push moisture deeper, and don’t just wipe the surface or close the book and walk away, since those actions don’t address moisture trapped between pages and can cause more damage.